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Detroit Tigers Team Notes Over 3 Million Views!!! Thankyou!

March 20 in Tigers and mlb history:

1888: Albert Spalding announces a baseball tour to Australia next winter with his Chicago team and a squad of National League All-Stars.

1889: A New York sporting goods house receives an order for bats, balls, and other baseball equipment from Mr. Hiroka of Tokyo, Japan. In his letter he says that baseball "has been played there for several months" and that a baseball association would soon be organized.

1912: Ossie Vitt gets a wheelbarrow ride from Jack Onslow at Spring Training.
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1915: The Boston Braves break ground on Commonwealth Avenue and begin construction of Braves Field. Owner James E. Gaffney wants a large enough park so that inside-the-park homers can be hit in three directions. The field will open on August 18th.

1918: Although the major leagues optimistically keep the schedules at 154 games, the owners agree to halve the spring training time in an attempt to save money with the United States now engaged in World War I, as the St. Louis Cardinals open their camp at Hot Springs, Arkansas. In fact, the season's last month will never be played, with the World Series starting at the beginning of September.

1934: Mildred Didrickson (also known as Babe Zaharias), the renowned all-around female athlete, pitches the 1st inning for the Philadelphia Athletics in a spring training exhibition game against the Brooklyn Dodgers.
She gives up one walk but no hits. Two days later she pitches again, this time one inning for the St. Louis Cardinals against the Boston Red Sox.
Didrickson is less successful the second time, giving up four hits and three runs. Bill Hallahan relieves her, as she does not have an at bat in either game. She will also play several games for the House of David this season.
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Didrickson is the second female to play exhibitions with a major league team. Previously, first baseman Lizzie Murphy played for an American League All-Star team on August 14, 1922.
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1935: At St. Petersburg, the St. Louis Cardinals set a spring training record, drawing 6,467 in a match against the Boston Braves. The big draw is Babe Ruth, who hits a towering fly against Dizzy Dean, then, after Dean departs, laces two doubles into the overflowing crowd. The Cardinals win, 5 - 4.
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1936: New York #Yankees rookie Joe DiMaggio gets a spring training hit wearing uniform #18! Joe would end up wearing #9 during the '36 regular season before switching to his famous #5 the following year!

1937: The Homestead Grays of the Negro Leagues acquire future Hall of Famers Josh Gibson and Judy Johnson for $2,500 in cash and a pair of journeymen players. The trade is considered the largest transaction in the history of the Negro Leagues.

1943: Indian Bob Johnson, a longtime Philadelphia Athletics fan favorite, is traded to the Washington Senators in exchange for outfielder Bobby Estalella and infielder Jimmy Pofahl. Johnson has led the Athletics in RBI in each of the last seven seasons - no team has ever traded a slugger with that mark.

1953: U.S. Senator Edwin C. Johnson offers a bill to give clubs the sole right to ban radio-TV broadcasts of major league games in their own territory. The antitrust division of the Justice Department outlawed this practice in 1949. Johnson believes that it started the decline of baseball in small towns and cities throughout the country. His bill aims to restore the equity between large communities and the small areas.

1954: The Chicago Cubs send shortstop Roy Smalley to the Milwaukee Braves for pitcher Dave Cole, opening up the shortstop job for Ernie Banks.

1961: The New York Yankees of the American League announce the team will oppose any plan that would enable the new National League expansion franchise in New York, NY to use Yankee Stadium. This decision leaves the old Polo Grounds as the only viable option for the NL's new team, the New York Mets, who will begin play in a year's time.

1973: Roberto Clemente becomes the first Hispanic American to gain election to the Hall of Fame. The Baseball Writers Association of America announces the results of a special ballot, with Clemente receiving 393 of 424 votes. Clemente died in a plane crash on New Year's Eve. In light of his tragic death, the Hall's Board of Directors waived the five-year waiting period that is normally required before a player is eligible for election. A 12-time All-Star, Clemente batted .317 and won a dozen Gold Gloves over an 18-year career.
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1979: The Detroit Tigers traded Steve Dillard to the Chicago Cubs for a player to be named later. The Chicago Cubs sent Ed Putman (March 24, 1979) to the Detroit Tigers to complete the trade.

1984: Hall of Fame pitcher Stan Coveleski dies in South Bend, Indiana, at the age of 94. Coveleski pitched for the Philadelphia Athletics, Cleveland Indians, Washington Senators and New York Yankees over a 14-season career, winning 215 games, which included five 20-win seasons.

1989: Commissioner Peter Ueberroth announces that he has begun an investigation into the behavior of Cincinnati Reds manager Pete Rose. Ueberroth doesn't identify the allegations against Rose, but the Reds' skipper will eventually be banished for his alleged involvement with gambling.

1992: The Detroit Tigers signed Fernando Valenzuela as a free agent. Valenzuela will play in the Mexican League this year.
1992: The San Diego Padres selected Steve Pegues off waivers from the Detroit Tigers.

1997: The Detroit Tigers released Jason Grimsley.

1998: The Cincinnati Reds traded Tim Belk to the Detroit Tigers for Kevin Baez.

2000: The new World Umpires Association agrees to consolidate all umpires as part of an interim agreement with the commissioner's office. The umpires will merge into a single unit reporting directly to Major League Baseball this season, after being employed by either the National League or the American League since the latter's creation in 1901.

2002: The commissioner's office announces that Major League Baseball will continue the practice that began after the September 11 attacks of singing God Bless America during the seventh-inning stretch in each team's first homestand. In addition, a Flag of the United States patch will be worn on the jackets of all 30 major league teams this season and special logos will be used on Opening Day, Memorial Day weekend and the Fourth of July, with Canadian versions designed for the Toronto Blue Jays and Montreal Expos.

2010: The Detroit Tigers signed Casey Fien as a free agent.

2019: The Major League season opens at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan, with the A's hosting the Mariners in the first game of a two-game series. While most of the early attention is directed at 45-year-old Ichiro Suzuki, who starts in right field for Seattle, it's the sluggers who define the game as the Mariners prevail, 9 - 7.

Tigers players and coaches birthdays:

Paddy Greene 1903.

Al Klawitter 1913.

Vern Kennedy 1938-1939.

Chuck Seelbach 1971-1974.

Will Brunson 1998-1999.

Steve McCatty coach 2002.

Tigers players who passed away:

Bob 'Fatty' Fothergill 1922-1930.

Gee Walker 1931-1937.

Luis Alvarado 1977.

Baseball Reference
 
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WATERCOOLER WEDNESDAY.
Totally Tigers

Last week, we started the discussions about the current roster battles. We covered the 2 infield contests – 2B and SS.
Today, let’s move to the outfield.
The Tigers are in the fortunate position to have an overload of OFers. Too many, in fact, to make the Opening Day roster. Scott Harris, Jeff Greenberg and A. J. Hinch will make the final determination based upon:
– amount of experience (balancing veterans with rookies and others with a little experience)
– whether they are LH or RH hitters
– what type of pitches they hit best combined w/offensive metrics
– defensive metrics
So far, they have already sent down a handful of prospects. Here are the remaining candidates for all 3 outfield positions. Those guaranteed of a roster spot are in bold.

LEFT FIELD
Akil Baddoo (LHH)
Mark Canha (RHH)
Justyn-Henry Malloy (RHH)

CENTER FIELD
Parker Meadows (LHH)

RIGHT FIELD
Kerry Carpenter LHH
Riley Greene LHH


The Tigers are not expected to have more than 5 players who will play the OF exclusively. Zach McKinstry and Matt Vierling will also play there occasionally however they are expected to play the IF more and will probably be seen as bench players.
Currently, there are 4 OFers guaranteed to make the roster. One veteran, 2 w/minimal experience and 1 rookie. Three of them are LHH.
Akil Baddoo has more experience than everyone except for Canha. He is also a LHH and has 2 options left.
Justyn-Henry Malloy (RHH) has had a great offensive spring and is known for his exceptional plate discipline and eye. But he’s just been moved to LF. Potentially, he could make the team as OF/bench/DH in the beginning.
Considering that the Tigers have an overall very inexperienced OF, should they opt for Baddoo who has the 2nd most outfield experience?
Or should they add Malloy for his offensive skills and put him in the OF part-time so he can learn the position better? Or, should they send him down to Toledo to gain more experience and call him up at some point during the year?
Which player should the Tigers select for the Opening Day roster?

Which outfielder should the Tigers select for the Opening Day roster?

1. Akil Baddoo

2. Justyn-Henry Malloy
VOTE
 
The Tigers Minor League Report Podcast: Sam Dykstra of MLB.com stops by. 49 minutes.
Chris and Rogelio are joined by Sam Dykstra of MLB.com as they discuss Sam's observations from the Spring Breakout game and the depth the Tigers have developed over the last several seasons.
 
Jack Flaherty looks dialed in and other news from the Tigersphere.
Flaherty carved up the Phillies on Tuesday, pumping 94-97 mph and forcing Cardinals and Orioles fans to wonder what the Tigers are feeding him.
BYBTB
 
Detroit Tigers: Can Spencer Torkelson fill the cleats of Miguel Cabrera?
This will be the Detroit Tigers' first season without Miguel Cabrera in the lineup since 2008 and the team will be looking for his replacement not only on the field but with the fans as well.
MCBTB
 
Players Reportedly Pressuring MLBPA Director Tony Clark To Replace Deputy Director Bruce Meyer with Harry Marino.
MLBTR

Scott Boras, Harry Marino Discuss MLBPA Dispute.
MLBTR
 
March 21 in Tigers and mlb history:

1896: Bill McGowan is born in Wilmington, Delaware. McGowan will introduce a colorful umpiring style with authority and enthusiasm over 30 American League seasons, not missing an inning for 16 years during 2,541 consecutive games. He will be elected to the Hall of Fame by the Special Veterans Committee in 1992.

1903: Sporting Life, the U.S.'s oldest baseball publication, begins its 21st year. It will close during World War I.

1908: Ty Cobb signs with the Detroit Tigers for $4,000 plus an $800 bonus if he hits over .300. He will collect the bonus with a league-leading .324 average, becoming one of only three American League regulars to top .300 this year.
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1936: New York Yankees outfielder Joe DiMaggio runs his spring training record to 12 for 20, in an 11 - 2 Yankees victory over the newly-named Boston Bees. Before the next game is played, the prize rookie is left unattended with his foot in a diathermy machine. The resulting burn ends his spring training and delays his major league debut until May.

1952: The Detroit Tigers selected Ken Johnson off waivers from the Philadelphia Phillies.

1954: Brooklyn Dodgers catcher Roy Campanella injures his left hand in an exhibition game against the Yankees. Though he will hit two home runs on Opening Day, Campanella will have surgery in early May for the bone chips, returning on May 30th. The injury started earlier when he was hit on the hand in the 1953 World Series.

1957: Television Age reports that Major League Baseball will get $9.3 million for TV-Radio rights this year.

1959: Tigers acquire Larry Doby from Cleveland for Tito Francona. Doby will be the first African American to play for the Tigers, but will be sold to the White Sox after 16 appearances. Broke the AL color barrier with Cleveland in 1947.
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1962: The Philadelphia Phillies retire Robin Roberts' uniform number 36.
The Phillies sold Roberts to the Baltimore Orioles after the 1961 season. Roberts spent 14 seasons with the Phillies, winning 20 or more games from 1952 to 1955.

1966: In a spring training game in Houston's Astrodome, the Dodgers and Astros become the first major league teams to play on artificial grass.
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1968: One of the two American League expansion teams announces its nickname. The Kansas City franchise, now known as the "Royals", will begin play in 1969. Kansas City's last major league franchise, the Athletics, moved to Oakland after the 1967 season. The name evokes the Negro League Kansas City Monarchs and the annual "American Royal" Horse Show, held in Kansas City.

1974: Philadelphia purchases Ed Farmer from the Tigers.

1975: Joe Medwick dies in Saint Petersburg, Florida, at the age of 63. As one of the feared hitters on the famed Gashouse Gang, Medwick clubbed 205 home runs and batted .324 over a 17-year career. Medwick gained election to the Hall of Fame in 1968.

1977: Detroit Tigers pitching sensation Mark Fidrych tears cartilage in his left knee. The injury will require surgery, which will effectively end his promising career. Fidrych, who was elected the 1976 American League Rookie of the Year, gained national attention for his strange gyrations and mannerisms on the mound, which earned him the nickname "The Bird".
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1988: Edd Roush dies in Bradenton, Florida, at the age of 94. A two-time National League batting champion and a .323 hitter over an 18-year career, Roush entered the Hall of Fame in 1962.

1997: The pitching-poor Detroit Tigers release pitcher Jason Grimsley, who posted a 5-7 record with a 6.84 ERA with the California Angels last season, but was 0-3 this spring training.

1997: The Oakland Athletics returned Frank Catalanotto (earlier draft pick) to the Detroit Tigers.

2011: The perjury trial of Barry Bonds, officially named "USA vs. Bonds", begins in San Francisco, CA with jury selection. The past few weeks have been spent arguing over what evidence would be admissible as the prosecution seeks to demonstrate that Bonds lied to a grand jury in 2003 during the BALCO investigation when he stated that he had never knowingly used steroids. Bonds also faces a charge of obstruction of justice.

2013: The Detroit Tigers released Trevor Bell.

2014: The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim traded Andrew Romine to the Detroit Tigers for Jose Alvarez.

2019: Ichiro Suzuki voluntarily retired from the Seattle Mariners. Starting at age 27 Ichiro had 10 consecutive seasons of 200 or more Hits and set the ML record of 262 in 2004. He also won 10 consecutive Gold Gloves with his impeccable fielding and strong throwing arm. The 10 GG tied him with Ken Griffey Jr. and the legendary Al Kaline for Most in American League history. With over 3,000 Hits and a career .311 BA Ichiro is sure to be a First Ballot HOF'er.


2021: Shohei Ohtani does something unseen in ages in North American baseball, as he is both the lead-off hitter and the starting pitcher in the Angels' Cactus League game against the Padres. Given a last opportunity this year to prove he can succeed as a two-way player, he goes 2-for-2 with a walk at the plate, and strikes out five batters in four innings. He is hitting an unbelievable .636 at this point, with plenty of power, and is regularly throwing pitches at 100 mph or more as well. "The dude's a freak", comments his opponent, defending Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell.

Tigers players birthdays:

Frank Sigafoos 1929.

Joe Samuels 1930.

Boyd Perry 1941.

Owen Friend 1953.

Fernando Arroyo 1975, 1977-1979.

Tigers players who passed away:

Harry Eisenstat 1938-1939.

Mike 'Pinky' Higgins 1939-1944, 1946.

Baseball Reference
 
IT’S NOT THAT SIMPLE – Part 2.
Totally Tigers

On Tuesday, we started addressing the factors that go into the creation of the Opening Day roster. A number of elements that are based upon an overall strategy and limitations rather than simply selecting the best performers.
What they all had in common were contractual and team-controlled obligations.
 
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